Printer for printing on sheet paper and orthogonally fed roll paper

ABSTRACT

A printer has transportation paths for conveying media in two directions, including a first transportation path P 1  and a second transportation path P 2  (or third transportation path P 3 ) perpendicular to the first transportation path P 1 . The printer is constructed and configured to provide a single compact unit that can be used for media processing by reading and printing the media, as well as for printing receipts and validation printing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §120 on, U.S. application Ser. No. 12/188,760, filed Aug. 28,2008, which is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§120 on, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/417,840, filed May 3, 2006, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,435,023, which is a continuation of, and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §120 on, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/763,901, filedJan. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,047. The content of each of theserelated applications is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. Japanese patent application nos. 2003-016784, 2003-016785,2003-016786 and 2003-299068 are also incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a versatile printing apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

Payment systems using commercial bank checks (“checks”) to transfermoney are common particularly in Europe and North America. Payments andtransfers of many kinds are accomplished by accepting checks. Thesechecks are typically brought to a financial institution such as a bankfor deposit in a bank account or for check cashing.

Numerous checks must therefore be processed in a short time at tellerwindows in every bank branch. The main tasks performed at the tellerwindow involve a bank clerk verifying the check, confirming the date,and verifying the signature, and then depositing the funds or cashingthe check. The received check is also endorsed and a receipt is issuedas needed.

Some banks have started to electromagnetically read checks brought tothe bank, and efforts to improve check processing efficiency in thefuture by connecting bank branches and different banks on-line areunderway.

To this end, check processing machines having a magnetic ink characterreader (MICR) for reading information written in magnetic ink on eachcheck and an image scanner for capturing an image of each check areinstalled in many bank branches today. These processing machines arelarge-scale systems used for processing large volumes of checks at highspeed, and cannot be located at the teller window. A large space usedjust for check processing must therefore normally be set aside in thebank, and all checks are processed there. After the checks areprocessed, checks collected from each branch are delivered by armoredcar, for example, to a specified central clearing house.

Electromagnetically reading checks at the teller window is also beingtried, and small check processing devices that can be installed at theteller window have been proposed.

The check processing device referred to above has a check transportationmechanism, a magnetic ink character reader (MICR), scanner, and printerdisposed along a check transportation path.

When the bank teller receiving a check from a customer passes the checkthrough this check processing device, the check processing device readsthe check using the MICR and scanner, and then endorses the check usingthe printer. This check processing device is taught in Japanese Pat.Appl. Pub. No. 2000-344428.

After reading a check with the MICR and scanner, and then printing theendorsement using this check processing machine, the bank tellerverifies the information on the check, including the date and signature,using either the check itself or the scanned image of the check. Usingthe check image, however, requires providing a display to operate withthis check processing machine.

If this check verification shows that there is no problem with thecheck, the check is paid or deposited. This requires data entry to acomputer terminal separate from the above check processing machine, andprinting a customer receipt and bank branch receipt using a printer thatis also separate from this check processing machine. If the back of thecheck must be printed again, a printer separate from the checkprocessing machine must be used for validation printing. Validationprinting involves loading the check from the top and then ejecting thecheck from the top after printing. This task is performed repeatedly inthe bank for endorsing checks and printing slips.

In other words, when a check is passed through a check processingmachine as described above for processing, additional data must beinputted to a different system, and receipts and other forms must beprinted using a separate printer.

Check handling is therefore complicated, and handling errors necessarilyoccur more easily. This procedure also requires additional time andchecks cannot be processed quickly.

Furthermore, the need to install a separate printer in addition to thecheck processing machine puts additional pressure on the limited workingspace available at the teller window, and thus reduces job productivity.Being able to quickly and accurately process work in the confined spaceavailable at the teller window is a major problem for banks. Thisproblem is not limited to banks, however, and is a problem common to anyjob of processing checks and other such documents in a confined space.

An object of the present invention is therefore to solve the aboveproblem of the prior art and provide a processing and printing apparatusthat by means of a single compact device can process and print slipssuch as checks and then print receipts, for example.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The printing apparatus of the present invention solves the problemsdescribed above using two print medium transportation paths whichintersect at a given location so that checks or other print media can beprinted at the intersecting location after it was read by a magnetic inkcharacter reader and/or a scanner on one transportation path and areceipt or another print media transported from the other transportationpath can be also printed at the intersecting location, using a commonprint head aligned along the intersecting location.

The present invention entails a printer comprising a paper feed unitconstructed to house sheet paper; a first conveyance path and a firstconveyance mechanism configured to convey sheet paper from the paperfeed unit using the first conveyance path; a roll paper compartmentconstructed to hold roll paper; a second conveyance path and a secondconveyance mechanism configured to convey roll paper from the roll papercompartment using the second conveyance path; a printer head configuredto print on sheet paper and roll paper; and a carriage configured tomove the printer head in the direction in which sheet paper is conveyedand along a direction vertical to the direction in which roll paper isconveyed.

Preferably, the first and second conveyance paths are substantiallyorthogonal to one another, such that sheet paper can pass between rollpaper and the printer head.

Preferably, the printer has a plurality of operating modes include afirst operating mode for printing on sheet paper while sheet paper isconveyed by the first conveyance mechanism on the first conveyance path,and a second operating mode for printing on sheet paper while sheetpaper is not being conveyed and the printer head is moved by thecarriage. The printer may further include a third operating mode forprinting while moving the carriage when printing is performed on rollpaper with the printer head. The third operating mode may furtherinclude using a part of the second conveyance path and printing with theprinter head, as the carriage is being moved, on second sheet paperinserted into an upper opening on the first conveyance path.

The printer may further include a third conveyance path configured toconvey second sheet paper, where the third conveyance path includes atleast a part of the second conveyance path; and a third conveyancemechanism configured to convey second sheet paper using the thirdconveyance path.

Other objects and attainments together with a fuller understanding ofthe invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to thefollowing description and claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique overview of a printer according to a preferredembodiment of the invention with the case removed;

FIGS. 2( a-b) are schematic diagrams showing the relationship betweenthe first transportation path, second transportation path, and thirdtransportation path in a printer according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention with FIG. 2( a) showing the direction for a check and rollpaper and FIG. 2( b) showing the direction for a check or slips of paperalong the first transportation path and a separate validation check orvalidation slip along the second transportation path;

FIG. 3 is a plan view with some parts removed from the printer;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the first transportation path;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along the lines V-V in FIG. 4 andrepresents an elevation of the second transportation path and thirdtransportation path;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section view of part of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows form transportation on the second transportation path orthird transportation path;

FIG. 8( a) is a schematic diagram showing the first transportation pathwhen the print head is stationary, and FIG. 8( b) is a schematic diagramshowing the first transportation path when the print head is movable;

FIGS. 9( a-c) schematically shows operation from supplying a slip to thepaper supply part to selection of the discharge means;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the control process from supplying a slip tothe paper supply part to discharge in a specific discharge direction;

FIG. 11( a) is a schematic plan view of a printer according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11( b) FIG. 11( b) is a section view of the storage unit 105through line H-H in FIG. 11( a).

FIG. 12 is a side section view of a validation mechanism;

FIGS. 13( a-c) are plan views showing the movement of components of thepaper feed mechanism in which FIG. 13( a) shows the relative positionsof the components in the retracted position, that is, when a check 103is not transported; FIG. 13( b) shows the start of paper feeding withthe curved part of the paper feed roller 130 contacting the check 103;and FIG. 13( c) shows the paper feed roller 130 when it rotated furtherand feeds just the single top check 103;

FIGS. 14( a-c) are plan views showing the movement of components of theswitching mechanism FIG. 14( a) showing the discharge rollers 108 in thepaper feed position with the movable roller 108 b contacting the driveroller 108 a; FIG. 14( b) showing the retracted position where themovable roller 108 b is separated from the drive roller 108 a; and FIG.14( c) is a side section view as seen from arrow I in FIG. 14( a); and

FIG. 15( a-b) are plan views showing the movement of the switching leverof the switching mechanism with the switching lever shown in twodifferent positions respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the presentinvention is hereafter described with reference to the accompanyingfigures, particularly FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the printing apparatus with selected partsremoved, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the first transportation path,and FIG. 5 is an elevation showing the second transportation path andthird transportation path.

The printer 1 according to this embodiment of the invention has asubstantially U-shaped first transportation path P1 as shown in FIG. 2(a) or 2(b) for conveying a first slip of paper S (representing e.g. acheck) in a direction parallel to the horizontal, and has a secondtransportation path P2 and a third transportation path P3 both of whichlie substantially perpendicular to and intersect the firsttransportation path P1 for conveying a second slip S or for conveyingroll paper P in the vertical direction. This printer 1 is a checkprocessing apparatus that can, for example, be installed at a tellerwindow visited by customers in a bank to process checks as received fromthe customer, and to print receipts using roll paper P.

First Transportation Path

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the first transportation path P1 hasa transportation path section 2 c between an outside guide 2 a and aninside guide 2 b, which is generally U-shaped and has straight sectionparts 35 a, 35 b connected to opposite ends of the bottom portion 34 ofthe U-shaped section 2 c. This first transportation path P1 conveys aslip S in the direction of arrow A first along straight part 35 a, thenchanges the direction of the slip S 180 degrees from the direction ofinsertion by way of the U-shaped bottom portion 34 of the path P1, andthen discharges the slip S in the direction of arrow B by way ofstraight part 35 b.

A paper supply part 3 is aligned with the straight part 35 a. This papersupply part 3 is where slips S are loaded before being conveyed throughthe first transportation path P1. The paper supply part 3 could also beconfigured to include an auto-feeder for automatically supplying aplurality of slips S one by one into the first transportation path P1.If the slips S are checks, they are in principle loaded with the backfacing the inside guide 2 b in this printer 1.

First transportation rollers 6, second transportation rollers 7, anddischarge rollers 8 are disposed along the first transportation path P1and represent a first transportation mechanism for conveying slips S.The first transportation rollers 6, second transportation rollers 7, anddischarge rollers 8 each include a respective drive roller 6 a, 7 a, 8a, and a pressure roller 6 b, 7 b, 8 b for pressing a slip S against thedrive roller 6 a, 7 a, 8 a. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a pulley 6c, 7 c, 8 c is disposed coaxially to the drive roller 6 a, 7 a, 8 a.Three belts 41 are wound around these pulleys 6 c, 7 c, 8 c and a pulley(not shown in the figure) is mounted on the horizontal paper feed motor40 (hereinafter referred as HF motor). This enables the drive rollers 6a, 7 a, and 8 a to be driven by a single HF motor 40.

It should be noted as shown in FIG. 3 that the pressure roller 8 b ofdischarge rollers 8 is mounted on the distal end of a rotary arm 8 d.Driving an actuator 45 causes the rotary arm 8 d to turn so that thepressure roller 8 b can be set to a closed position (transportationposition) in contact with the drive roller 8 a, and an open position(retracted position) separated from the drive roller 8 a.

The first transportation rollers 6 and second transportation rollers 7are positioned so that when the leading edge of a slip S reaches thesecond transportation rollers 7, the trailing edge of the slip S islocated downstream the paper supply part 3 and in front of the firsttransportation rollers 6 leaving a feed margin for the firsttransportation rollers 6. The second transportation rollers 7 and 8 arelikewise positioned so that when the leading edge of a slip S reachesthe discharge rollers 8, the trailing edge of the slip S is locateddownstream of the first transportation rollers 6 leaving a feed marginfor the second transportation rollers 7.

A BOF (bottom of form) detector 9 is disposed upstream of the firsttransportation rollers 6, and a TOF (top of form) detector 10 isdisposed downstream of the first transportation rollers 6. Thesedetectors 9, 10 are disposed near the bottom of the first transportationpath P1 and detect the leading edge and trailing edge of a slip Sconveyed by HF motor 40 operation. The HF motor 40 is driven accordingto form detection by the BOF detector 9, and the first transportationrollers 6, second transportation rollers 7, and discharge rollers 8start to turn. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 could also be changedto accommodate multiple motors or may include a clutch to the driveroller 6 a, 7 a and 8 a so that the rollers 6, 7, 8 are turnedindependently.

Scanners 11 and 12 and an MICR 13 are arranged along the U-shaped bottom34 in order from the upstream side between the TOF detector 10 andsecond transportation rollers 7.

The scanners 11 and 12 are image scanning sensors for capturing imagesof the slip S. The scanner 11 is disposed on the outside guide 2 a sideof the first transportation path P1 in order to capture an image of theback of each slip S, and the other scanner 12 is disposed on the insideguide 2 b side of the first transportation path P1 to capture an imageof the slip S front. Pressure members (rollers) 11 a and 12 a disposedon the opposite side of the first transportation path P1 press the slipS to the surface of the scanner 11, 12 for scanning.

The MICR 13 is a magnetic sensor for reading magnetic ink charactersprinted on the front of the slip S, and is disposed on the inside guide2 b side of the first transportation path P1 so as to face the front ofthe slip S. The MICR 13 reads magnetic ink characters with the slip Spressed to the MICR 13 by an opposing pressure member (pad) 13 adisposed on the opposite side of the first transportation path P1.

A print head 14 is disposed as more clearly shown in FIG. 4 facing thefirst transportation path P1 in the straight part portion 35 b betweenthe second transportation rollers 7 and discharge rollers 8. The printhead 14 is mounted on a carriage 15, which is movable by way of guideshaft 15 a permitting the print head 14 to move on the carriage 15 frombetween the printing range 18 to the fully retracted position 19. Whenthe print head 14 is in the printing range 18 it is positioned oppositethe platen 24, as shown in FIG. 5, which is mounted a cover 25 which inturn, closes the roll paper compartment 20. The print head 14 can printto the back of a slip S and is supplied with ink from an ink tank 17 sothat the print head 14 can print for a long time without directlyreplacing the ink.

The print head 14 can print to slips S travelling in the horizontaldirection, as well as to roll paper P or slips S moving in a verticaldirection as further described below. The print head 14 has multiplenozzles and can print at least one line of text to a slip S travellingin the horizontal direction without moving the carriage 15.

A discharge section 4 composed of the discharge rollers 8 is disposeddownstream of the print head 14. This discharge section 4 discharges aslip S after printing is completed from outside of the printer 1 bymeans of discharge rollers 8. A discharge detector 28 as shown in FIG. 6is disposed near the discharge rollers 8 for confirming whether aprinted slip S has been discharged or not. This discharge detector 28also functions to detect ejection of a slip S conveyed and printed onthe third transportation path as further described below. This occursdownstream from the printing range 18 on both the first transportationpath P1 and the third transportation path P3.

The height of the outside guide 2 a and inside guide 2 b, other than atthe U-shape bottom 34 where scanners 11, 12 and MICR 13 are located, isequal to a distance of less than the width of the conveyed slip S sothat if there is a paper jam, for example, the slip S can be easily andmanually be removed from the printing apparatus.

Transporting a slip S through first transportation path P1 ishereinafter described in detail.

The slips S are set by the user in the direction of arrow A into thepaper supply part 3 which is aligned with the straight part 35 a of thefirst transportation path P1. The slips S are then conveyed from thepaper supply part 3 along the first transportation path P1.

The BOF detector 9 detects the leading edge of the slip S when theleading edge of a slip S reaches the BOF detector 9. If the printer 1has received a slip S processing command from the host computer (notshown), the drive roller 6 a of first transportation rollers 6 startsturning in response to the detection signal from the BOF detector 9. Theslip S is thus grabbed smoothly between the drive roller 6 a andpressure roller 6 b, and is conveyed without slipping by rotation of thedrive roller 6 a through the first transportation path P1 along the wallof the outside guide 2 a around the U-shape bottom 34.

Power supply to the scanners 11, 12 and MICR 13 located downstream fromthe TOF detector 10 turns on when the leading edge of the slip Sconveyed from the first transportation rollers 6 reaches the TOFdetector 10. It will be noted that a printer 1 according to thisembodiment of the invention is constructed to prevent wastefulconsumption of power by supplying power to the necessary parts only whenneeded, including the drive rollers.

As the slip S is conveyed passed the scanners, scanner 11 disposed onthe outside guide 2 a side of the path captures an image of the back ofthe slip S while scanner 12 on the inside guide 2 b side of the pathcaptures an image of the front of the slip S. The MICR 13 disposed onthe inside guide 2 b side also reads any magnetic ink characterspreprinted on the slip S.

Image data output from the scanners 11, 12 can be sent to the hostcomputer controlling the printer 1, or it could be processed by aprocessor in the printer 1 itself.

The captured images could also be presented on a display, improving theefficiency of inspecting the check or other slip S. This display couldbe the display connected to the host computer, or it could be disposedto the printer 1 itself.

The captured data is then processed by the built-in processor of theprinter 1 or by the host computer. A second print medium could also beprinted depending on the result of this data process. This second printmedium could be roll paper P or a different slip S, such as a validationslip.

When the leading edge of the slip S reaches the second transportationrollers 7 after passing the TOF detector 10, it is grabbed between thedrive roller 7 a and pressure roller 7 b and conveyed by rotation of thedrive roller 7 a to straight part 35 b.

When the slip S passes through the printing range 18 opposite print head14, the print head 14 prints to the slip S. The outside guide 2 a isdisposed between the print head 14 and slip S, but there is an openingin the outside guide 2 a around the printing range 18. There is,therefore, no obstruction between the print head 14 and slip S.

In this embodiment, the print head 14 is held in the printing range 18in a predetermined fixed position when it prints to the print medium,that is, to slip S. This occurs by moving the print medium passed thestationary print head 14. When not printing, the print head 14 andcarriage 15 are moved to a retracted position 19. By thus retracting theprint head 14 when not printing, the slip S being conveyed will not bedamaged or soiled by the print head 14. Retracting the print head 14also reduces the likelihood of the print head 14 causing the slip S tojam.

After the back is printed by the print head 14, the slip S is dischargedin the direction of arrow B by discharge rollers 8, and is ejected fromthe printer 1 by rotation of the drive roller 8 a with the slip S heldbetween the drive roller 8 a and pressure roller 8 b.

Second Transportation Path

The second transportation path P2 is hereinafter described in detailwith reference to FIG. 2( a), FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

A roll paper compartment 20 for holding roll paper P is located betweenthe two straight parts 35 a, 35 b of the first transportation path P1.One end of the roll paper P is fed from the roll paper compartment 20into the second transportation path P2 so that the roll paper P may beconveyed along the second transportation path P2.

As shown in FIG. 2( a), FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the second transportationpath P2 is used for conveying roll paper P from the roll papercompartment 20 to the printing range 18, and then discharging the rollpaper P. This second transportation path P2 overlaps part of thestraight part 35 b of first transportation path P1, and lies in avertical direction substantially perpendicular to the transportationdirection of a slip through the first transportation path P1.

As shown in FIG. 6, a second transportation mechanism is associated withthe second transportation path P2 is composed of vertical drive rollers22 for conveying roll paper P in the vertical direction, a verticalpressure roller 23 for pressing roll paper P to the vertical driverollers 22, and a tension roller 30 for applying specific tension to theroll paper P exposed in the printing range 18.

As shown in FIG. 5, these vertical drive rollers 22 are mounted at thedistal end of the cover 25 which opens and closes the roll papercompartment 20.

The platen 24 and print head 14 are positioned along the printing range18 and disposed on opposite sides of the second transportation path P2between the vertical drive rollers 22 and vertical pressure roller 23and the tension roller 30.

A roll paper exit 36 for discharging the roll paper P is opened abovethe vertical drive rollers 22 and vertical pressure roller 23, and acutter 26 for cutting the roll paper P is disposed near the roll paperexit 36.

Transporting of roll paper P through the second transportation path P2is hereafter described in detail.

The leading edge of the roll paper P pulled out from the roll papercompartment 20 passes tension roller 30 and platen 24, and is loadedbetween the vertical drive rollers 22 and vertical pressure roller 23.The roll paper P is transported vertically through the secondtransportation path P2 by rotation of the tension roller 30, verticaldrive rollers 22, and vertical pressure roller 23. The roll paper P isprinted to by the print head 14 as the roll paper P passes the printhead 14 when juxtaposed opposing printing range 18.

The print head 14 travels in a horizontal direction by way of carriage15 to print one line on the roll paper P. To print multiple lines, thevertical drive rollers 22 are driven to advance the paper vertically byone line after the printing of one line ends, and the print head 14again travels horizontally to print the next line.

The tension roller 30 maintains a specified tension on the roll paper Pbetween the vertical drive rollers 22 and vertical pressure roller 23 sothat the roll paper P is conveyed passed the printing position withoutslack.

The roll paper P is then transported further vertically and dischargedexternally to the printer 1 from the roll paper exit 36. The dischargedroll paper P is then cut by the cutter 26 disposed near the roll paperexit 36.

Print data received from the host computer is printed to the roll paperP. In addition to print data received from the host, data read by thescanners 11, 12 or MICR 13 could be printed or processed and thenprinted to the roll paper P. More specifically, the printer 1 can alsoprint to the roll paper P based on data acquired by the printer 1. Theentire processing operation can therefore be completed quickly.

Printing to a slip S may occur when a slip is travelling along the firsttransportation path P1 or along the third transportation path P3 asshown in FIG. 2( b) which lies parallel to the roll paper transportationpath P2. The presence of a slip S between the roll paper and print head14 can be confirmed by the discharge detector 28 or by a validationdetector 27 as hereafter described. This eliminates the danger ofprinting print data which should be printed on a slip S from beingprinted on roll paper P. Furthermore, when it is necessary to print toroll paper P the roll paper P can be printed on immediately after thisintervening slip S passes by or is removed, thereby improvingefficiency.

Third Transportation Path

The third transportation path P3 is hereafter described next withreference to FIG. 2( b) and FIG. 6.

The third transportation path P3 is a transportation path for conveyinga validation slip S inserted between the outside guide 2 a and insideguide 2 b from a top opening 37 formed between the outside guide 2 a andinside guide 2 b near the printing range 18. This third transportationpath P3 includes part of the second transportation path P2. Thetransportation direction of the third transportation path P3 is alsosubstantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of a slipthrough the first transportation path P1. The third transportation pathP3 and second transportation path P2 are therefore both verticalconveyance paths perpendicular to the first transportation path P1.

Vertical discharge rollers which include validation drive rollers 31 aand opposing validation pressure rollers 31 b are disposed on oppositesides of the third transportation path P3. The validation drive rollers31 a are located below the platen 24 and tension roller 30 fortransporting a slip S vertically through the third transportation pathP3. The validation drive rollers 31 a and vertical drive rollers 22 forconveying roll paper P are selectively driven by a single vertical paperfeed motor (not shown) hereinafter referred to as the VF motor. That is,the validation drive rollers 31 a and vertical drive rollers 22 areselectively connected to the VF motor by a clutch not shown. In thisembodiment, drive power from the VF motor is transferred to thevalidation drive rollers 31 a or vertical drive rollers 22 by moving thecarriage 15 to predefined positions.

As shown in FIG. 6, the validation pressure rollers 31 b are mounted tothe distal end of a rotary arm 31 c. An actuator (not shown) is drivento turn the rotary arm 31 c, thereby setting the validation pressurerollers 31 b to the closed position (transportation position) in contactwith the validation drive rollers 31 a, or to the open position(retracted position) separated from the validation drive rollers 31 a.The validation pressure rollers 31 b are held in the retracted positionwhen the slip S is transported along the first transportation path P1 oris inserted from above into the third transportation path P3.

A validation detector 27 for sensing a slip S inserted into the thirdtransportation path P3 is disposed near the bottom of the thirdtransportation path P3. As shown in FIG. 3, a positioning guide 29 forinserting a validation slip S to the third transportation path P3 isdisposed to the junction of the straight part 35 b of firsttransportation path P1 and U-shape bottom 34. This validation detector27 is used to confirm whether a slip S has been inserted in a predefinedposition. More specifically, the validation detector 27 detects if aslip S has been inserted along the positioning guide 29 and directedtoward the bottom of the third transportation path P3. When a slip S isinserted into the third transportation path P3, the slip S is alsodetected by discharge detector 28. By thus using two detectors 27 and 28disposed on opposite sides of the printing range 18, slip forms of apredetermined size can be inserted, and slips smaller than an allowedsize can be prevented.

Validation printing to a check or a validation slip S using the thirdtransportation path P3 is described next. A slip S is inserted from topopening 37, into the validation transportation path, that is, the thirdtransportation path P3. The slip S is inserted directed to the bottom ofthe third transportation path P3 without interference from validationdrive rollers 31 a or validation pressure rollers 31 b. The pressureroller 8 b of discharge rollers 8 is held in the retracted position atthis time with the slip S inserted directed toward the bottom of thethird transportation path P3 without interference from the dischargerollers 8.

If the validation detector 27 detects that a slip S has been insertedinto the third transportation path P3 and a validation printing commandhas been received by the printer 1 from the host computer, thevalidation pressure rollers 31 b move from the retracted position to thetransportation position so that the slip S is held between thevalidation pressure rollers 31 b and validation drive rollers 31 a. Thedischarge detector 28 simultaneously detects the presence of the slip S.The validation pressure rollers 31 b move from the retracted position tothe transportation position only if a slip S is detected by both thevalidation detector 27 and discharge detector 28. If the slip S isdetected by only one of these detectors 27, 28, an error is indicated bymeans such as, e.g. LEDs (not shown) thereby telling the user that theslip S is not properly loaded.

The carriage 15 is then moved horizontally (in parallel to the firsttransportation path) as shown in FIG. 7 and the print head 14 prints tothe slip S held between the validation pressure rollers 31 b andvalidation drive rollers 31 a. One line is thus printed to apredetermined position (a fixed distance from the bottom of thirdtransportation path P3 and within the printing range 18) from the bottomedge of the slip S. To print another line, the validation drive rollers31 a are driven to advance the slip S up one line, and the carriage 15is then driven horizontally again while the print head 14 prints thenext line.

When printing ends the slip S is transported further upward until it isreleased from the validation pressure rollers 31 b and validation driverollers 31 a so that the user can remove the slip S exposed from the topopening 37. Removal of the slip S by the user is also confirmed bydischarge detector 28 output. This completes the slip S validationprinting process.

By having a U-shaped first transportation path P1 whereby an insertedslip S makes a U-turn and is discharged in the same direction from whichit was inserted, the user can easily insert a slip S to a printer 1according to this embodiment of the invention and then easily remove theejected slip S after specific processes have been completed along thetransportation path while remaining seated.

Furthermore, by having a first transportation path P1 and anintersecting second transportation path P2, roll paper used for printingreceipts, for example, can be housed between the straight sections ofthe U-shaped transportation path, and the user can therefore also easilyprint and remove receipts while remaining seated.

Yet further, a separate slip S for validation (a validation slip) canalso be inserted as needed to a third transportation path P3 forvalidation printing while remaining seated.

The printing apparatus of this invention thus greatly improves jobefficiency compared with conventional printers.

When, for example, an endorsement or other information must be printedto a check processed on the first transportation path P1, thisembodiment of the invention enables the user to immediately continueprocessing the check without leaving his seat. Furthermore, informationread from the check can also be fed back for printing to the check.

To summarize, a printer 1 according to this embodiment of the inventionhas a U-shaped first transportation path P1, a first transportationmechanism for conveying and discharging a slip S corresponding to afirst print medium on the first transportation path P1, a secondtransportation path P2 or third transportation path P3 substantiallyperpendicular to and intersecting the first transportation path P1, asecond transportation mechanism for conveying and discharging roll paperP corresponding to the second print medium on the second transportationpath P2 or another slip S corresponding to the second print medium onthe third transportation path P3, and a single print head 14 forprinting to the first print medium or to the second print medium at aparticular printing position on the first transportation path P1 and ina commonly aligned position on the second or third transportation pathsP2, P3.

Furthermore, because the first transportation path P1 in this embodimentis U-shaped and the first print medium when inserted into the firsttransportation path P1 of the printer 1 makes a U-turn through the firsttransportation path P1, the printed print medium will be discharged fromthe first transportation path P1 at a location near where it wasinserted. The person using this printer 1 can therefore load and removeprint media from this printer 1 while remaining seated.

The second transportation path P2 (and third transportation path P3)which conveys the second print medium is arranged substantiallyperpendicular to the first transportation path P1, which conveys thefirst print medium. In addition, the second transportation path P2 (orthird transportation path P3) are disposed inside the U-shaped firsttransportation path. The both of first and second print medium areprinted with the same print head at the intersecting location betweenthe second transportation path P2 (or third transportation path P3) andthe first transportation path P1, two printing functions can thereforebe achieved with a single printer.

The print head 14 in this embodiment has a carriage 15 that travelsbidirectionally between the printing range 18 and a retracted position19 separated a specific distance from the printing range 18.

The print head 14 is held in the retracted position 19 when notprinting, thereby preventing damage and soiling of the print head 14 aswell as avoiding the danger of paper jams caused by interference betweenthe print medium and print head 14.

A printer 1 according to this embodiment of the invention also has aMICR 13 disposed to at least one side of the first transportation pathP1 for reading magnetic ink characters preprinted to the first printmedium.

In addition to printing, the printer 1 according to this embodiment ofthe invention can therefore also use the MICR 13 to read magnetic inkinformation recorded on the first print medium, which is a slip S suchas a check, as it is conveyed through the U-shaped first transportationpath P1. The printer 1 can send the magnetic ink character data thusacquired to a host computer to internally process the data by means ofan internal processing unit (not shown) and can feed the data back to asubsequent printing operation.

A printer 1 according to this embodiment of the invention also has imagescanning means (scanners 11, 12) for capturing images of the slip Sdisposed along the first transportation path P1.

In addition to printing a slip S and reading magnetic ink characterinformation therefrom using the MICR 13, this printer 1 can thereforecapture images of the slip S using scanners 11, 12 disposed on oppositesides of the first transportation path. This data can be processed inthe same way as data captured by the MICR 13, and the images can bepresented on a display to, for example, improve check processingefficiency.

The print head 14 of this printer 1 is also described as being an inkjetprint head. While the invention should not be so limited an inkjetprinter is ideally suited to the present invention using a print mediaon a first transportation path P1 and an intersecting different secondtransportation path P2 (or third transportation path P3) with a singleprint head for printing to the print media for each path.

The first print medium shall also not be limited to any type of papermedia such as check slips S or validation slips S. When the slips S arechecks as described in the present embodiment and are processed usingmultiple printers, however, the checks can become mixed up and out ofsequence, making handling difficult. Processing the slips S in a singleprinter 1 eliminates this problem and enables more efficient slipprocessing.

A slip S can also be printed to using the third transportation path P3.After a check passes the first transportation path P1 and is scanned andendorsed, it may be necessary, for example, to print additionalinformation on the back thereof. A printer 1 according to thisembodiment of the invention eliminates the need to use a separateprinter in such cases, and can print as needed using feedback based onthe acquired data by transporting the check through the thirdtransportation path P3. More efficient check processing with feweroperator errors is therefore possible compared with the prior art.

Furthermore, a slip S inserted in the printer as the second print mediumfrom the discharge side of the third transportation path P3 can betransported by the second transportation mechanism to the printingposition, printed by the print head 14, and then discharged by thesecond transportation mechanism from the third transportation path P3. Aprinter 1 according to this embodiment of the invention can thereforealso be used for validation printing using this third transportationpath P3. A separate printer has conventionally been used for validationprinting. The printer 1 of this invention, however, can also be used forvalidation printing, for which data acquired from the processed slip Scan be used. Such problems as print medium handling errors, data entryerrors, and work delays can therefore be eliminated.

This printer 1 can also use a continuous print medium wound into a roll(i.e., roll paper) as the second print medium. Conventionally, receiptshave been heretofore printed on a separate printer, leading to suchproblems as data entry errors and work delays. By transporting rollpaper P through a second transportation path P2 and printing to anddischarging this roll paper P as a receipt, however, a single printer 1according to this embodiment of the invention can be used instead formore efficient check processing.

Slip Form Printing Modes

A print head 14 according to this embodiment of the invention is mountedon a carriage 15 and is movable horizontally through the printing range18 along the straight part 35 b of the first transportation path P1.There are, therefore, two basic ways of printing to a slip S travellingon the first transportation path P1: a stationary slip printing mode inwhich the slip S is held stationary and the print head 14 is movedhorizontally while printing, and a stationary print head printing modein which the print head 14 is held stationary and prints to a slip Stravelling horizontally.

In the stationary print head printing mode the position of the printhead 14 is fixed and ink is ejected from the print head 14 to print to aslip S travelling in front of the print head 14.

It is not necessary to temporarily stop the slip S in this stationaryprint head printing mode, that is, when the print head 14 is stationaryand the slip S is moved while printing. Printing can therefore becompleted in the stationary print head printing mode without reducingthe speed of the slip S transported from the U-shape bottom 34. Morespecifically, the stationary print head printing mode enables high speedslip S processing because the feed rate of the slip S does not drop.

In the stationary slip printing mode, however, the slip S is pausedbefore the print head 14 as shown in FIG. 8( b), and the slip S isprinted by moving the print head 14 on the carriage 15 parallel to thetransportation direction of the slip S while ejecting ink.

This stationary slip printing mode can be used effectively for printingbased on the image data or magnetic ink character data acquired when theslip S passed through the U-shape bottom 34.

As shown in FIG. 8( a), if the print data is generated using the imagedata or magnetic ink character data acquired when the slip S passes theU-shape bottom 34 then the stationary print head printing mode ofoperation requires, the slip S to be paused on the downstream side ofthe exit from the U-shape bottom 34, or more precisely, downstream fromthe position where magnetic ink character reading by the MICR 13 iscompleted. In this case the print head 14 must be located at or afterthe position where slip S transportation stabilizes after the image dataor magnetic ink character data is processed before transporting the slipS resumes. Therefore, when in the stationary print heat printing mode ifprinting is to be based on obtaining image data or magnetic inkcharacter data as explained above, the length of the straight part 35 bshould be increased by length L shown in FIG. 8( a) compared with thelength of the path when printing is not based on this data. However,increasing the length of straight part 35 b is undesirable, because alonger transportation path makes it harder to install the printer 1 inthe extremely limited space available at a bank teller window, forexample.

In the stationary slip printing mode shown in FIG. 8( b), the slip S isheld stationary and printed by moving the print head 14 parallel to thetransportation direction of the slip S by means of carriage 15. In thiscase the same function described with reference to FIG. 8( a) above canbe achieved using a transportation path of exactly the same length as aconventional transportation path that does not stop slip Stransportation.

More specifically, slip S transportation is stopped when the trailingedge of the slip S passes out of the U-shape bottom 34 and enters thestraight part 35 b. The slip S can be transported in this way by, forexample, using form detection by the discharge detector 28, which isdisposed at the end of the printing range on the discharge rollers 8side, as a trigger and stopping slip S transportation when the leadingedge of the slip S reaches the discharge detector 28. Other methodscould also be used, including, for example, detecting the trailing edgeof the slip S.

If a read error is indicated by a scanner 11, 12 or the MICR 13 when inthe stationary slip printing mode, transporting the slip S can beresumed and the slip S ejected without printing by the print head 14.This prevents such problems as printing an invalid endorsement when theslip S is a check, for example.

Results of processing data read from the check or visually inspectingthe scanned images presented on a display can also be fed back forprinting when in the stationary slip printing mode.

The present embodiment is described stopping either the slip S or printhead 14 and moving the other in order to print to a slip S, but it willobviously be possible to print while simultaneously moving both the slipS and print head 14. More particularly, the fastest printing can beachieved by moving the print head 14 in the opposite direction whileadvancing the slip S to the discharge section 4. This is particularlyeffective for rapidly processing slips S in a rush.

A printer 1 according to this embodiment of the invention can thusselect a printing mode in which the print head 14 is stationary or ismoved parallel to the transportation direction of the print medium whileprinting. Furthermore, when the print head 14 is moved parallel to thetransportation direction of the print medium, printing modes that areconventionally not possible can be achieved.

More specifically, a printer 1 according to this embodiment of theinvention can print by stopping the print medium and moving the printhead 14 on a carriage 15 parallel to the transportation direction of theprint medium. When a conventional stationary print head is used and theprint medium is first paused before printing, the print head must belocated downstream from where transporting the stopped print mediumresumes, and the transportation path must extend further. A printeraccording to this embodiment of the invention, however, can stop andthen print to the print medium without lengthening the conventionaltransportation path. The printing apparatus therefore uses spaceeffectively and does not wastefully occupy space, a particular advantagefor installation at a bank teller window and other locations whereinstallation space and working space are limited.

Selecting the Transportation Direction for Slip Discharge

A printing apparatus according to the present invention can also beconfigured to change the transportation direction of the slip Stravelling along the first transportation path P1 according to the dataread by the scanners 11, 12, MICR 13, or other data reader.

An embodiment of the invention that changes the transportation directionof the slip S according to detector output is described below.

Based on output from the scanners 11, 12 and MICR 13, a printer 1according to this embodiment of the invention determines at the straightpart 35 b of the first transportation path P1 whether to discharge theslip S in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 1), that is, in the samedirection as the transportation direction to that point, or in thedirection of arrow C (see FIG. 1), that is, substantiallyperpendicularly to the transportation direction to that point.

A first discharge means, which is composed of the discharge section 4where the discharge mechanism of discharge rollers 8 shown in FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 is disposed, ejects slips in the direction of arrow B. A seconddischarge means, which is composed of a vertical transportation path(equivalent to third transportation path P3) and discharge mechanism ofvertical discharge rollers 31 shown in FIG. 3, ejects slips in thedirection of arrow C.

Independent of the slip S is ejected by the first discharge means or thesecond discharge means, the slip S can be printed to when it ispositioned opposite the print head 14 in the printing range 18. It isalso possible to disable printing when the print medium is ejected in aparticular direction, either in the direction of arrow B or arrow C. Inthis embodiment, the print head 14 is stationary and the slip is movingduring printing. However, this embodiment could also be configured toprint with the print head 14 moving.

When a slip S is transported from the paper supply part 3 and theleading edge of the slip S is grabbed by the discharge rollers 8 andpassed from the second transportation rollers 7 to the discharge rollers8, the discharge detector 28 disposed near the discharge rollers 8detects the paper. Based on the detection signal output from thedischarge detector 28, transporting the slip S may then be stopped orthe discharge means for ejecting the slip S may be selected.

Selecting the discharge means is based on whether a read error wasgenerated by the scanners 11, 12 or MICR 13, or some other error wasdetected in the read data. A processor disposed to the printer 1preferably makes this determination, but a configuration in which anexternal host computer selects the discharge means is also possible.

FIG. 9( a) to FIG. 9( c) schematically show the movement of the slip Sfrom when it is supplied by the paper supply part 3 to when thedischarge means is selected.

FIG. 9( a) shows the slip S delivered by the paper supply part 3 throughthe first transportation path to the point of discharge. When the slipsS are manually inserted, the motor driving the first transportationrollers 6, second transportation rollers 7, and discharge rollers 8start in response to a signal from the BOF detector 9 whereas the drivemotor starts in response to a signal from the ASF detector (not shown)when the stock of slips S are supplied one at a time by an auto-feeder.

FIG. 9( b) shows the slip S conveyed by the first transportation rollers6 to the position where the leading edge of the slip S is at the TOFdetector 10. A signal from this TOF detector 10 starts the power supplyto the scanners 11, 12 and MICR 13. The position of the slip S can thenbe managed based on the number of motor steps driven. This also appliesto the other embodiments.

In FIG. 9( c) the slip S has separated from the second transportationrollers 7 and been grabbed by the discharge rollers 8. The slip S isdetected by the discharge detector 28 here and the slip ejectiondirection is selected.

If no read errors are returned by the scanners 11, 12 or MICR 13 andthere are no data errors detected, the slip S is discharged in thedirection of arrow B, that is, in the same direction as the slip wasconveyed to that point. If a read error is returned by the scanners 11,12 or MICR 13 or a data error is detected, the slip S is ejected in thedirection of arrow C, that is, substantially perpendicularly to thetransportation direction to that point.

The slip S is discharged in the horizontal direction by the dischargerollers 8, that is, drive roller 8 a and pressure roller 8 b, and isdischarged in the vertical direction by the vertical discharge rollers31, that is, validation drive rollers 31 a and validation pressurerollers 31 b shown in FIG. 3.

As described above, the validation pressure rollers 31 b can be set to aclosed position (transportation position) in contact with the validationdrive rollers 31 a, or to an open position (retracted position)separated from the validation drive rollers 31 a. The validation driverollers 31 a are disposed slightly offset from the transportation lineof the slip S, and when in the open positions are positioned so thatthere is no contact with the slip S. The pressure roller 8 b of thedischarge rollers 8 can also be set to a closed position (transportationposition) contacting the drive roller 8 a, or to an open position(retracted position) separated from the drive roller 8 a.

When in the closed position the validation pressure rollers 31 b areurged to the validation drive rollers 31 a by spring force so that theslip S is held between the validation drive rollers 31 a and validationpressure rollers 31 b.

The above-noted offset from the media transportation line is very slightin this embodiment so that there is no interference with grabbing theleading edge of the slip S or conveying the slip S.

The default state when the discharge direction is selected is with thedischarge rollers 8 in the closed position and the vertical dischargerollers 31 in the open position.

If there are no data read errors or data errors, a command is output tohold the discharge rollers 8 in the closed position and the verticaldischarge rollers 31 in the open position. The slip S is thereforetransported by the discharge rollers 8 and not touched by the verticaldischarge rollers 31.

When the slip S passes the printing range 18 the slip S can be printedby the print head 14 or discharged without printing. Transporting theslip S then continues and the slip S is ejected in the direction ofarrow B.

If a data read error occurs or a data error is detected, a command isoutput to move the discharge rollers 8 from the closed position to theopen position, and transportation in the horizontal direction stops. Thevertical discharge rollers 31 are then controlled to move from the openposition to the closed position and hold the slip S. The slip S is thentransported vertically by the vertical discharge rollers 31 and ejectedin the direction of arrow C without contacting the discharge rollers 8.

The slip S can be printed using the print head 14 when the slip S isproximally opposite the print head 14. It should be noted that multiplelines can be printed by conveying the slip S upward, but multiple linescannot be printed by a conventional printer having only a horizontaltransportation path. Compared with a conventional printer, moreinformation can therefore be printed on the slip S.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the control process from supplying a slip Sfrom the paper supply part 3 to ejecting the slip S in a specifieddischarge direction.

Steps connected by arrows in FIG. 10 denote primarily transportation anddischarge roller control. The boxes (with no lines connected thereto)shown adjacent to these steps indicate other actions performed in thesteps.

When the printer 1 receives a slip S processing command from the hostcomputer and a slip S is inserted, the BOF detector 9 looks for the slipS and starts the HF motor 40 when the slip S is detected. The slip S isthen transported by the transportation mechanism, and power is suppliedto the scanners 11, 12 and MICR 13 when the TOF detector 10 detects theslip S. The transportation position of the slip S is thereafter managedby controlling the steps advanced by the HF motor 40.

Step S1 to S5

If the TOF detector 10 does not detect the leading edge of the slip Seven after the motor is driven a specified number of steps (1000 stepsin this example) between step S2 and step S3, the motor is stopped and a“form feed error” is reported to the user by means of LEDs not shown,for example. Likewise, if the TOF detector 10 does not detect thetrailing edge of the slip S between steps S4 and S5 even though themotor is driven a specified number of steps (2400 steps in thisexample), the motor is stopped and a “form feed error” is reported tothe user. Note, also, that the feed rate of the slip S differs beforeand after the leading edge of the slip S is detected (step S2). Morespecifically, the HF motor 40 is driven at 200 pps (pulses per second)in step S2 and at 1100 pps in step S4 in the present embodiment.

After the TOF detector 10 detects the trailing edge of the slip S (stepS5), the HF motor 40 is driven a specified number of steps (366 steps at1100 pps) (step S6), and a command setting the discharge rollers 8 tothe closed position is asserted (step S7). The slip S is then advancedwhile data is acquired therefrom by the scanners 11, 12 and MICR 13until the slip S is detected by the discharge detector 28. When thedischarge detector 28 detects that the leading edge of the slip S hasreached the discharge detector 28 (step S10), the discharge direction isselected (step S11).

If the scanners 11, 12 and MICR 13 return no data read errors and nodata errors are detected, the slip S continues to be conveyed until itis ejected in the direction of arrow B. The slip S has been ejected fromthe printer 1 in this preferred embodiment when the discharge detector28 detects that the trailing edge of the slip S has passed, and theprocess therefore ends (steps S12, S13).

If there is a data error or the scanners 11, 12 or MICR 13 return a dataread error, the HF motor 40 is reversed a specified distance (39 steps)to back the slip S up slightly (step S14). The carriage 15 is then movedto the CRI position, and a clutch is operated so that power from the VFmotor is transferred to the validation drive rollers 31 a instead of thevertical drive rollers 22 for transporting roll paper (step S16). Theposition of the discharge rollers is then also switched to the verticaldischarge direction.

More specifically, the discharge rollers 8 are set to the open positionand the vertical discharge rollers 31 are set to the closed position(step S17). The slip S is then printed with the print head 14 whilebeing conveyed upward (step S18). When the slip S is conveyed furtherupward (step S19), the slip S separates from the validation pressurerollers 31 b and validation drive rollers 31 a, and the user can removethe slip S exposed from the top opening 37. Removal of the slip S by theuser is confirmed by discharge detector 28 output (step S20), causingthe clutch to be changed again to transfer VF motor power to thevertical drive rollers 22 for transporting roll paper and resetting therollers to the normal position for horizontally ejecting slips (stepsS14 to S22). The process then ends.

When this embodiment of the invention is used for processing checks atthe teller window in a bank, for example, the U-shape of the sliptransportation path enables the teller to easily insert checks (slips S)to and remove processed checks from the printer 1 while remainingseated.

Furthermore, when a read error is reported by the scanners 11, 12 orMICR 13, or a data error is detected, the slip is automatically ejectedupward, a different direction from the conventional horizontaltransportation direction. The operator thus immediately knows that aproblem occurred and can respond quickly and appropriately.

Yet further, by selectively changing the transportation directionaccording to the read results when continuously processing multiplechecks, problem checks are easily identified and effectively preventedfrom mixing with the other checks.

Some typical applications of the present invention are described nextbelow.

In this first application transporting a slip S always stops near wherethe leading edge of the form is detected by the discharge detector 28,regardless of whether the detectors return a read error or a data erroris detected. The read data is processed while form transportation isstopped, or the scanned images of the medium are presented on a displayfor visual inspection of the date and signature.

If there is a problem, the form is then ejected horizontally using thefirst discharge means without printing. If there is not a problem, thecheck is endorsed by the print head and then ejected vertically usingthe second discharge means.

This method feeds back the data read from the check for endorsementprinting, and prevents the conventional problem of an invalidendorsement being printed and, as a result, the back of the check beingprinted multiple times.

In this embodiment of the invention the discharge direction of the slipS used as the print medium can be selected according to predefinedconditions. Print media can therefore be identified according to presetconditions and grouped accordingly. Furthermore, if anothertransportation device is disposed to each paper exit, the print mediacan be delivered to different locations according to specificconditions. For example, if identification marks are printed on theprint medium, these can be used to direct where the print medium isdelivered.

Yet further, if the MICR 13 or scanners 11, 12 output a read error or adata error is detected, this embodiment of the invention can eject theprint medium without changing the transportation direction, change thetransportation direction and eject the medium vertically, or select thedischarge means and eject the medium according to defined conditions.Problem print media can therefore be ejected from a different form exitfor easy identification and processing.

If multiple print media are processed continuously and uniformlydischarged from the same form exit, both good media and problem mediawill become mixed and separating the good and problem media becomes verydifficult. The present embodiment is particularly effective in suchcases because it eliminates this problem.

Other Embodiments

Alternative embodiments of the present invention are hereafter describedwith reference to the figures.

Printer Overview

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a printing apparatus 101 according tothis embodiment of the invention. This printing apparatus 101 is adocument processing system having an S-shaped transportation path, andis described using a check 103 as the document (slip form) conveyedthrough this transportation path. The printing apparatus 101 has aloading unit 104 for storing a preloaded stock of checks 103 to beprocessed and supplied to the transportation path 102, which is S-shapedand a storage unit 105 for storing the processed checks 103 conveyedover the transportation path 102.

The S-shaped transportation path 102 is composed of an outside guide 102a an inside guide 102 b and a transportation part 102 c between theinside and outside guides. A check 103 is supported by both guides 102 aand 102 b as it is conveyed through the horizontally disposedtransportation part 102 c. Starting from the check insertion entranceside and continuing in the check 103 transportation direction, thetransportation path 102 includes a first curved transportation path 102d connected to the loading unit 104, a first straight transportationpath 102 e connected to the first curved transportation path 102 d, andboth a second curved transportation path 102 f and second straighttransportation path 102 g connected to the first straight transportationpath 102 e. The first curved transportation path 102 d and second curvedtransportation path 102 f each have a straight part connected to acurved part that bends 90 degrees, and then another curved part bendinganother 90 degrees connected to the opposite end of the straight part.The transportation direction of a check 103 traversing curvedtransportation path 102 d or 102 e therefore changes 180 degrees.

The devices disposed to this printing apparatus 101 are hereafterdescribed following the flow of a check 103 transported through thistransportation path. One or more checks 103 are inserted from thedirection of arrow E to the loading unit 104. Checks 103 loaded in theloading unit 104 are then supplied into the transportation path 102 byrotation of the paper feed roller 130. Operation of the paper feedroller 130 is controlled by the user pressing a button, for example, orby a controller. The paper feed mechanism has a hopper 131 that pushesthe stocked checks 103 to the paper feed roller 130, and a pad 132 thatworks so that of the multiple checks 103 in the hopper 131 only thefirst check contacting the paper feed roller 130 is fed into thetransportation path 102. This is described in further detail below.

The check 103 supplied to the transportation path 102 is then conveyedby the first transportation rollers 106 into the first curvedtransportation path 102 d. The first transportation rollers 106 includea drive roller 106 a and pressure roller 106 b. The drive roller 106 ais driven by a horizontal paper feed motor not shown, and the pressureroller 106 b is urged to the drive roller 106 a by spring force.

A scanner 111 for capturing an image of the back of the check 103, ascanner 112 for capturing an image of the front of the check 103, and anMICR 113 for reading magnetic ink character data preprinted on the check103, are disposed to the first curved transportation path 102 d and readdata from the check 103 as it travels passed. The captured data can besent to an internal controller of the printing apparatus 101 forprocessing, or sent to an external host computer for processing.

The check 103 is then grabbed by the second transportation rollers 107and conveyed to the first straight transportation path 102 e. Like thefirst transportation rollers 106, the second transportation rollers 107include a drive roller 107 a and pressure roller 107 b, the drive roller107 a being driven by a motor not shown and the pressure roller 107 burged by spring force to the drive roller 107 a.

A print head 110 is disposed along the first straight transportationpath 102 e for printing an endorsement on the check 103. The check 103passes a juxtaposed position opposite the print head 110, and thenreaches the discharge rollers 108.

The discharge rollers 108 include a drive roller 108 a and movableroller 108 b. The movable roller 108 b is disposed to an arm 108 c thatpivots on center of rotation 108 e, and can be set to a paper feedposition in contact with the drive roller 108 a, and a retractedposition separated from the drive roller 108 a. FIG. 11( a) shows themovable roller 108 b set to the paper feed position. When set to theretracted position, the arm 108 c rotates in the direction of arrow F.

Further downstream from the first straight transportation path 102 e isa junction to which the second curved transportation path 102 f andsecond straight transportation path 102 g are connected. The junctionhas a switching lever 150. The switching lever 150 pivots on center ofrotation 150 a, and can be set to guide the check 103 into the secondcurved transportation path 102 f (referred to below as the “curved pathposition”), or to guide the check 103 into the second straighttransportation path 102 g (referred to below as the “straight pathposition”). The switching lever 150 is linked to the arm 108 c of themovable roller 108 b, and moves in conjunction with the arm 108 c.

As shown in FIG. 11( a) when the movable roller 108 b contacts the driveroller 108 a so that the discharge rollers 108 are in the paper feedposition, the switching lever 150 is set to the curved path position.When the arm 108 c of the movable roller 108 b turns in the direction ofarrow B to the retracted position, the switching lever 150 also turns inthe direction of arrow G and moves to the straight path position.

The structure of this switching mechanism is described in further detailbelow.

As shown in FIG. 11( a), the check 103 is normally held by the dischargerollers 108 and conveyed to the second curved transportation path 102 f.It is then grabbed by the storage rollers 109 disposed to the secondcurved transportation path 102 f and deposited into the storage unit105. The storage rollers 109 also include a drive roller 109 a andpressure roller 109 b, the drive roller 109 a driven by a motor notshown and the pressure roller 109 b urged by spring force to the driveroller 109 a.

As shown in FIG. 11( b), the bottom of the storage unit 105 is sloped,and checks 103 delivered into the storage unit 105 move by force ofgravity to the right from the position in line with the transportationpath 102 on the left side of the storage unit 105 as seen in the figure.Checks 103 delivered from the transportation path 102 therefore enterthe storage unit 105 without interference with other checks 103 alreadystored in the storage unit 105, and automatically gather in a stack onthe right side of the storage unit 105 as seen in the figure.

A validation mechanism 120 is also disposed to the first straighttransportation path 102 e. This validation mechanism 120 has validationrollers 121 a and 121 b on the right and left sides of the print head110 as seen in the figure. These validation rollers 121 transport slipforms in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontalconveyance direction of the transportation path 102. The validationmechanism 120 is used to convey forms in the vertical direction forvalidation printing by the print head 110. To avoid interference with aslip travelling vertically, the movable roller 108 b of the dischargerollers 108 must be set to the retracted position. As described above,the switching lever 150 is therefore set to the straight path position.If the length of the slip being transported vertically is such that theleading edge of the form extends outside the first straighttransportation path 102 e, the form will be guided by the secondstraight transportation path 102 g as an extension of the first straighttransportation path 102 e, and can therefore travel smoothly verticallywithout interference with the transportation path guides.

Validation Mechanism

The validation mechanism is described in detail next with reference toFIG. 12. This validation mechanism uses the space between the outsideguide 102 a and inside guide 102 b as the validation transportation path102 h for validation printing to the check 103 or other slip. Thisvalidation transportation path 102 h uses part of the first straighttransportation path 102 e, but the transportation direction isperpendicular to that of the first straight transportation path 102 e.

The validation mechanism 120 thus comprises this validationtransportation path 102 h, fixed validation rollers 121 a, and pressurevalidation rollers 121 b. The fixed validation rollers 121 a are drivenby a vertical paper feed motor not shown. The pressure validationrollers 121 b are disposed to an arm 121 c that pivots on rotationalaxis 121 d, and can therefore be set to a transportation position wherethe pressure validation rollers 121 b contact the fixed validationrollers 121 a for paper feeding, and a retracted position where thepressure validation rollers 121 b are separated from the fixedvalidation rollers 121 a.

The process for validation printing to a check 103 is described next.The check 103 is inserted from above to the validation transportationpath 102 h between the outside guide 102 a and inside guide 102 b. Thepressure validation rollers 121 b have a mechanism for moving to thetransportation position or retracted position as a result of the arm 121c being driven by an actuator not shown. When a check 103 is inserted,the pressure validation rollers 121 b are in the retracted position. Thecheck 103 can therefore be inserted to the bottom of the validationtransportation path 102 h without interference with the fixed validationrollers 121 a or pressure validation rollers 121 b.

As described in the preceding embodiment, a validation detector 122 isdisposed to the bottom of the validation transportation path 102 h. Whenthis validation detector 122 detects that a check 103 has been insertedto the bottom of the validation transportation path 102 h, the pressurevalidation rollers 121 b move from the retracted position to thetransportation position. The fixed validation rollers 121 a and pressurevalidation rollers 121 b then start turning and transport the check 103upward.

The check 103 is printed when it passes a juxtaposed position oppositethe print head 110.

The print head 110 is controlled according to the paper feeding distancefrom a reference position (i.e., the bottom of the validationtransportation path 102 h) to print to a specified position on the check103. The check 103 is then transported further upward and ejected fromthe validation transportation path 102 h. This completes the validationprinting process.

Paper Feed Mechanism

The paper feed mechanism for supplying checks 103 stocked in the loadingunit 104 to the transportation path 102 is described in detail next withreference to FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 13( a), the main parts of this paper feed mechanism arepaper feed roller 130 for feeding stocked checks 103 from the loadingunit 104, a hopper 131 for pressing the check 103 to the paper feedroller 130 during the paper feed operation, and a pad 132 that contactsthe leading edge of the checks 103 so that only the single top checktouching the paper feed roller 130 is fed. The paper feed roller 130 isa roller of which one side is flattened, and is mounted coaxially with acam 133 and roller gear 134. The roller gear 134 engages a motor gear ofan ASF drive motor. When the ASF drive motor turns the roller gear 134,the coaxial paper feed roller 130 and cam 133 also turn.

The hopper 131 is urged to the paper feed roller 130 side by a hopperpressure spring 131 a, and thus functions to push checks 103 to thepaper feed roller 130 when transporting checks 103. The cam 133, hopper131, and pad 132 are linked so that moving the paper feed roller 130causes the hopper 131 and pad 132 to operate accordingly as furtherdescribed below.

Operation of the components of this paper feed mechanism whentransporting a slip is described next below with reference to FIG. 13(a-c).

If there is no interference, the hopper 131 works to press the checks103 to the paper feed roller 130 by means of the force from a hopperpressure spring 131 a. When in the retracted position as shown in FIG.13( a), however, the cam 133 holds the hopper 131 so that it does notapply pressure to the checks 103.

A clockwise torque is applied to the pad 132 by the force from a torsionspring (not shown in the figure), and the cam 133 holds the pad 132 to aposition perpendicularly contacting the checks 103. The leading edgepart of the checks 103 therefore meet the pad 132 and cannot advancebeyond that point.

To feed the checks 103, the paper feed roller 130 is rotated clockwiseby the ASF drive motor not shown to the position shown in FIG. 13( b).In the position shown in FIG. 13( b) the curved part of the paper feedroller 130 begins to touch the check 103. The cam 133 works at this timeso that the hopper 131 pushes the checks 103 to the paper feed roller130 side. The cam 133 also causes the pad 132 to pivot counterclockwiseto a diagonal position. If the paper feed roller 130 is then rotatedfurther clockwise, the top check 103 of the stack touching the paperfeed roller 130 is carried along the slope of the pad 132.

When the paper feed roller 130 then turns further clockwise to feed thetop one check 103 as shown in FIG. 13( c), the cam 133 does notinterfere with the hopper 131, and the force of hopper pressure spring131 a therefore causes the hopper 131 to push the checks 103 to thepaper feed roller 130.

The cam 133 also rotates the pad 132 to its maximum angle ofinclination.

The one top check 103 in the stack contacting the paper feed roller 130is thus fed along the surface of the pad 132, which is now inclined. Theother checks 103 are left in the loading unit 104 because the frictionbetween the leading edge part and the pad 132 is greater than thefriction and electrostatic attraction between the checks 103.

The feed mechanism described above thus feeds the checks 103 one at atime into the transportation path 102.

Switching Mechanism

The switching mechanism for changing the position of the switching lever150 to the second curved transportation path side (the curved pathposition) or to the second straight transportation path side (thestraight path position) is shown in FIG. 14( a-c).

The positioning of the components is described first with reference toFIG. 14( a) and FIG. 14( c). The drive roller 108 a is rotated clockwiseby a horizontal paper feed motor not shown. As shown in FIG. 14( c), themovable roller 108 b is rotatably mounted to the arm 108 c by means ofan intervening rotary shaft 108 d.

The arm 108 c has a double L-shaped configuration when seen from abovewith two end legs each bent 90 degrees to the main leg, and is rotatablyaffixed to the document processing system by means of an interveningrotary shaft 108 e. One end of this arm 108 c is connected to arm 152 byan extension of the rotary shaft 108 d. The other end of this arm 152 isconnected by a pin 151 a to arm 151, which is united with the switchinglever 150. The switching lever 150 and arm 152 are united by mounting toa common rotary shaft 150 a, and rotate around this rotary shaft 150 a.

The other end of the arm 108 c is connected to a solenoid 153 by anintervening pin 153 a. The other end of the solenoid 153 is connected toa bracket 155 by an intervening pin 155 a, and the bracket 155 isaffixed to the printing apparatus 101. These link components aredisposed below the transportation path 102 traversed by the check 103,and therefore do not interfere with check transportation.

A tension spring 154 is connected to the arm 108 c on the side oppositethe connection between the arm 108 c and solenoid 153. The other end ofthis tension spring 154 is connected to bracket 154 a, which is affixedto the printing apparatus 101.

When the solenoid 153 is not excited, the arm 108 c is pulled by thetension spring 154, and the movable roller 108 b is set to the paperfeed position contacting the drive roller 108 a as shown in FIG. 14( a).The switching lever 150 is linked to the arm 108 c by arm 152 and arm151, and is thus set to the curved path position. If the drive roller108 a is then driven to feed a check 103, the check 103 is guided by theswitching lever 150 and transported to the second curved transportationpath 102 f.

When the solenoid 153 is excited, the solenoid arm retracts, turning thearm 108 c in the direction of arrow F. The switching lever 150 linked tothe arm 108 c therefore turns in the direction of arrow G to theposition shown in FIG. 14( b). As shown in FIG. 14( b), the force of thesolenoid 153 moves the movable roller 108 b to the retracted positionseparated from the drive roller 108 a, and the switching lever 150linked to the arm 108 c moves to the straight path position conveyingthe check 103 into the second straight transportation path 102 g, whichis parallel to the first straight transportation path. As a result, acheck loaded from above for validation printing can be transportedvertically without interference from the discharge rollers 108 andsecond curved transportation path 102 f.

Other Versions

The arm 151 and switching lever 150 are united in the switchingmechanism described above. As shown in FIG. 15( a,b), however, theswitching lever 150 could be mounted to the arm 151 by an interveningrotary shaft 150 a, and urged in the direction of arrow J by a torsionspring 156. The strength of this torsion spring 156 is weaker than therigidity of the check 103.

If the switching lever 150 is set to the second curved transportationpath 102 f (the curved path position) before the leading edge of thecheck 103 reaches the switching lever 150, the check 103 is advanced byrotation of the drive roller 108 a, guided by the switching lever 150,and conveyed to the second curved transportation path 102 f.

However, if the switching lever 150 is set to the second straighttransportation path 102 g side (straight path position) when the leadingedge of the check 103 reaches the switching lever 150, and the switchinglever 150 is switched to the second curved transportation path 102 fside (curved path position) after the leading edge of the check 103enters the second straight transportation path 102 g, as shown in FIG.15( b), the check 103 continues to advance into the second straighttransportation path 102 g as the drive roller 108 a turns because therigidity of the check 103 is greater than the strength of the torsionspring 156. Note, however, that this requires providing secondtransportation rollers (not shown in the figure) to transport the check103 until the leading edge of the check 103 enters the second straighttransportation path 102 g.

If data was read from the check 103 normally, the check 103 travelsthrough the transportation path 102 and is deposited in the storage unit105. If a data read error occurs, however, the check 103 can be conveyedthrough the second straight transportation path 102 g and ejected. Thusselectively switching the transportation path can be achieved by controlthat changes the timing of switching lever 150 operation.

The switching mechanism could also be configured so that the switchinglever 150 operates independently of the discharge rollers 108. In thiscase the position of the switching lever 150 can be changed irrespectiveof whether the discharge rollers 108 are set to the second curvedtransportation path side or the second straight transportation pathside. This switching lever 150 is driven by a solenoid or other actuatordifferent from the discharge rollers 108. This configuration enableschanging the transportation path of the check 103 without consideringthe timing for changing the position of the movable roller 108 b.

Form transportation in the vertical direction shall also not be limitedto validation printing, and a check 103 travelling horizontally throughthe first straight transportation path 102 e could also be dischargedvertically.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The printer according to the present invention has two mutuallyperpendicular transportation paths housed in a single compact device toperform printing as well as other document or check processing taskswhich conventionally requires separate devices. When checks areconventional processed at a bank teller window, for example, one deviceis typically used for reading check data and printing an endorsement, aseparate printer is used for printing a receipt based on the results ofcheck processing, and a separate validation printer is used forreprinting the back of the check. This causes the problems describedbelow, all of which are solved by the present invention.

(1) Installing multiple devices in a confined work space is difficult.

(2) Data errors result from data entry errors as a resulting of usingmultiple devices to process each check.

(3) Handling errors result from loading each form to multiple devices.

(4) Productivity drops from excessive handling time and idle time.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with thepreferred embodiments thereof and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications willbe apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modificationsare to be understood as included within the scope of the presentinvention as defined by the appended claims, unless they departtherefrom.

1. A printer comprising: a paper feed unit constructed to house sheetpaper; a first conveyance path; a first conveyance mechanism configuredto convey sheet paper from the paper feed unit using the firstconveyance path; a roll paper compartment constructed to hold rollpaper; a second conveyance path; a second conveyance mechanismconfigured to convey roll paper from the roll paper compartment usingthe second conveyance path; a third conveyance path configured to conveysecond sheet paper, the third conveyance path including at least a partof the second conveyance path; a third conveyance mechanism configuredto convey second sheet paper using the third conveyance path; a printerhead configured to print on sheet paper and roll paper; and a carriageconfigured to move the printer head in the direction in which sheetpaper is conveyed and along a direction substantially orthogonal to thedirection in which roll paper is conveyed.